FIFA have finally issued a statement on the boycott of various federations against Russia after the invasion of Ukraine, but it will not solve any of the problems and has already been called ‘unacceptable.’
The federations of Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic – and now also England – have announced they will not play against Russia in any competition or in any venue until the attack on Ukraine has concluded.
These three nations were meant to face Russia in the World Cup play-offs in Moscow next month.
FIFA released a statement this evening, but it does absolutely nothing to resolve the situation.
“To address football-related matters and in coordination with UEFA, the Bureau of the FIFA Council – involving the FIFA President and the six Confederation Presidents – has unanimously decided to take immediate first measures, in line with recommendations from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and that will be applicable until further notice:
- No international competition shall be played on the territory of Russia, with “home” matches being played on neutral territory and without spectators
- The member association representing Russia shall participate in any competition under the name “Football Union of Russia (RFU)” and not “Russia”
- No flag or anthem of Russia will be used in matches where teams from the Football Union of Russia participate FIFA will continue its ongoing dialogue with the IOC, UEFA and other sport organisations to determine any additional measures or sanctions, including a potential exclusion from competitions, that shall be applied in the near future should the situation not be improving rapidly.
“With regard to the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers, FIFA has taken good note of the positions expressed via social media by the Polish Football Association, the Football Association of the Czech Republic and the Swedish Football Association and has already engaged in dialogue with all of these football associations.
“ FIFA will remain in close contact to seek to find appropriate and acceptable solutions together. FIFA’s thoughts remain with everybody affected by this shocking and worrying situation.”
This is a version of the approach taken by the Olympics when Russia were meant to be banned due to endemic doping violations, when instead their athletes were able to compete under a different flag.
The Polish Federation have already issued their swift and terse response, calling FIFA’s decision “unacceptable to us.
“In the situation of the war in Ukraine, we are not interested in the game of appearances. The Polish national team will not play against Russia in the play-off match, regardless of the name of the Russian team.”
The risk now is that FIFA will refuse to exclude Russia, so punish Sweden, Poland and the Czech Republic for boycotting the match, thereby creating a PR disaster for a football authority that is already under the spotlight.